Disclaimer: The beautiful story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family. I am writing this story for my
own personal enjoyment. The story is based on events from
the book.

Title: "Perchance to Dream"

Chapter One

Christy was marking papers in her room upstairs at the
Mission. She heard the voice of Doctor MacNeill. The
man was a puzzle to her, and she found herself more
confused about him after every encounter she had
with him. She didn't know what to make of him. He was
educated and intelligent. He could "read" the Cove like
any other mountain man. He could hunt, shoot and fish with
extraordinary skill. And with only two or three sentences,
either make her feel incredibly naive and foolish, or
reduce her to a blathering idiot. He was no citified dandy,
he was all male, and he had an aura that he wore as proudly
as the mantle worn by his highland ancestors.

She had borrowed copies of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
from him and had read both to her class, a chapter at
a time. The books were enjoyed by the children. She was
pleased to be able to do a month's worth of her curriculum
around Greek civilization and mythology. She came bounding
down the stairs like a young gazelle. Neil was drinking tea
with Miss Alice. Thinking happily of her school children's
appreciation of the two epics, she smiled and said,
"Thank you so much for letting me borrow these books,
Dr. MacNeill. The children were enchanted by the tales."

"How kind of you to grace us with your presence, Miss
Huddleston," he replied neutrally. "I'm glad they enjoyed
the stories."

Christy never heard the second part of his sentence. She
felt as though he had boxed her ears. Her smile
disappeared, and her eyes clouded over. "Excuse me for
interrupting you both," she whispered and she quickly fled
the room.

Alice looked at her former son-in-law. Raising her eyebrow
she scolded, "Neil, you can be an absolute jackass at
times."

"What did I do wrong?"

"Gracing us with your presence, indeed. You made it sound
like she was royalty deigning us with a few minutes of her
precious time. She worked extremely hard with the children
for their study of ancient Greece. You've been gone on
rounds almost the entire time. The children have been
wonderfully creative. You owe that girl an apology, Neil."

Neil gave Alice an exasperated look. She didn't back
down. "Oh all right. Where did she go?"

"That depends on her mood. She'll either go up to one of
the ridges to look at the mountains, or else she'll go to
The Falls. Fairlight took her there recently, and I think
they've become her new favorite place for reflection."

She was quietly crying when Neil found her by The
Falls. She never heard his approach because of the sounds
emanating from the falling water. "Alice described me
as a jackass." Christy jumped and turned toward him. He
could see she had been crying. "Are you trying to give
The Falls some competition?" She opened her mouth to say
something, and quickly closed it. Neil handed her his
handkerchief. "Yours is completely soaked." She took the
square and dabbed her eyes, looking down at the ground
instead of at him. "Please sit down, Lass. Alice scolded
me for what I said. I didn't realize that you would think
my words were cruel. I was trying to be witty. I can see
that I have failed miserably. I had been hoping to catch
a glimpse of you today." She looked at him with a question
in her eyes. "Why?" he asked for her. She nodded. "Because
I haven't seen you for weeks. You bring a ray of sunshine
with you wherever you go."

Christy was speechless. This was the longest conversation
she had ever heard from Dr. MacNeill.

"Cat got your tongue?" Christy just stared at him. "You
look flummoxed, Lass. Is everything all right?" She nodded,
not knowing quite what to say. Neil realized this. In order
to draw her out, he asked her about the children and the
special projects she had developed for them. She began
to describe the activities and her face became more and
more animated. Neil smiled inwardly. This was more like
the Christy he had come to love.

He'd left Charlie quietly grazing. As the day lengthened,
he knew he had to get her back to the Mission. "I'd
better get you home, Lass, before Grantland sends out an
alarm." He mounted Charlie and them gave her a hand up
behind him. Christy held on and was overwhelmed by his
masculinity. She'd never felt this way towards any of her
beaus in Asheville. She'd ridden behind David on Prince,
and did not experience these feelings. What was it about
this complex man that made her heart pound?

Neil's wife had died of typhoid after delivering a
premature son, who had also died. His emotional loss
was staggering. But he was letting her know that there
was an attraction. She was so confused, yet her heart was
pulsing rapidly. He was so different, so worldly, more than
any other man she had ever met before. Her senses were
silently screaming, and so were his! To have Christy so
close, her sweet rose scent enveloped him. Neil knew she
hadn't a clue that she affected him in any way. She was
so young. Fairlight knew, he could never hide anything
from her. She was the closest thing he had to having a
sister. Jeb was his best friend. He just didn't know how
to handle this young woman. He was wary of Grantland;
educated, handsome and a man of the cloth. Neil was
educated, not bad looking in his own estimation, but he
had no use for God. God had taken his wife and son. He
doubted Miss Huddleston could ever accept his lack of
faith or belief in a higher being.

As the months passed in the Cove, Christy realized she
was being courted by two men. Neil was subtle, David was
obvious. As weeks passed, Christy realized that she could
talk to Neil about anything. David didn't want to talk. He
tried to kiss her, but she decided that she didn't really
feel a strong attraction. Close contact with Neil made her
nervous. Her feelings could be overwhelming at times. He
would tease her and make her feel foolish or do something
thoughtful that left her walking on air! He could make
her feel so angry her blood would boil. Such a gamut
of emotions. She wanted to talk to Fairlight about it,
but didn't know how to broach the subject. Then without
warning, she lost the chance to confide in her best friend.



Chapter Two

The typhoid epidemic was vicious, cruel and
unrelenting. Fairlight died. Then, while he was on the road
to recovery, Lundy taylor did not take the advice of his
care givers. By stealing food and eating it, he hemorraged
internally and died. Claiming its next victim, Christy
became sick. Neil rarely left her side. She had brought
light into his darkness. This tiny, yet feisty young woman
had given him hope, resurrected his dreams. One dark night,
when he felt he had done all that he could do for her,
he let go of the last vestige of his lack of faith, and
prayed to God from the very depths of his heart and soul.

God heard his cry, and so did Christy. Her heart filled
with faith and joy. Neil loved her, truly loved her
with all of his heart, and she loved him with the same
intensity.

Neil watched her like a hawk. The road to recovery was
long and arduous. Her parents came to visit, wanting to
take her home when she was well enough to travel. She
steadfastly refused to leave. She would not, could not
leave her school children or Neil for that matter. When
Christy made up her mind, nothing would stand in her
way. Except of course if she came up against Neil; then
and only then would she consider changing her mind.

She slowly returned to her routine. David watched the
relationship between Neil and Christy grow into more than
just doctor/patient or friendshop. Christy was at a loss
on how to tell David that she could not marry him. David
decided to make it easy for her. Christy was sitting on
the porch reading, taking in the warm sun, and enjoying
the fresh air. "Christy, may I have a word with you?"

"Of course, David, is everything all right?"

"Yes. The children are anxious for your return. I'm afraid
Miss Alice and I just don't have your special touch."

Christy smiled. "I'm not as scholarly as either one of
you. I am sure the children have learned quite a bit in
my absence."

"Perhaps, but they haven't had as much fun. Christy, please
don't interrupt me. I know that you don't love me enough
to accept my proposal of marriage. Love comes in so many
ways. You love Neil, and I know that he loves you. I don't
want you to be in the middle. I love you, but I can't and
won't try to change your mind. You have my blessing. The
love you have for one another is a gift from God. Who am
I to question the Almighty?"

"David, I wish..."

"I know, it just wasn't meant to be. You are free to
make a decision. You will always have a special place
in my heart." He kissed her hand and walked away to his
bunkhouse.

Christy marveled at his noble gesture. She knew it had
taken courage, strength and love, to say what he did. She
also knew it had taken an emotional toll on him, and she
began to cry. Neil found her crying and was seized with
fear. "What's wrong Christy?"

She didn't want to expose David's sense of vulnerability
to Neil yet. "I'm re-reading ‘Little Women' and it always
makes me cry."

Neil scooped her up into his strong arms. "It's time to
rest, Lass." He started to carry her into the Mission.

"You're going to be in big trouble, Neil MacNeill."

"Really?"

"Yes really, you big bully."

"I am not a bully."

"Yes you are. You yell at me, insult me and make me feel
utterly foolish. Then you pat me onthe head and kiss my
forehead and tell me everything will work out."

"I do not."

"Yes you do."

"Are you trying to provoke me, Lass?"

"Provoke you into what?"

"Shall I kiss you?"

"Do you have to ask?" she asked impishly.

"Well, I don't want to raise your blood pressure."

"Hah!" she replied. "Do you think your kisses have that
kind of effect on me?"

"Lass, you are playing with fire."

"Am I?"

"You know you are."

"Will I get burned?"

"You know you will."

"Then it's a good thing that I know a very capable doctor."

"Love...." At this point Neil reached the top of the
staircase.

"If you don't kiss me Neil, I shall expire."

"The typical romantic heroine, all a-flutter," he said
smiling.

"Are you my hero?"

"I hope so, love."

"Then please kiss me you silly man!"

He set her down and then he leaned against her. Taking
her into his arms he kissed her, and it rocked the very
foundation of her being. "Christy," he said passionately,
"marry me."

"Yes," she answered, cupping his face with her hands,
"there's no other solution. There are times when I am
with you when I feel overwhelmed by my feelings. Why does
that happen?"

"It's chemistry, Lass."

"Chemistry?"

"Yes. You and I are like catalysts to one another. We set
each other off."

"Is that a good thing?"

"It depends."

"What do you mean, Neil?"

"Well, when it's good we have a positive reaction. We agree
on something, we feel the same way, we embrace each other
with passion."

"And the negative, Neil?"

"We argue, disagree, get angry and walk away from each
other."

"I prefer the positive to the negative, then."

"As do I, Christy."

"Will you ask my father for permissin to marry me, Neil?"

"I already did, Christy. He gave his consent."

"Oh, Neil, I don't know what to say."

"Do you love me, Lass?"

"Of course I do. I think I've loved you since you told
me to step aside as Bob Allen lay on the ground by the
Spencer's."

"Aye, that was when I felt my heart thawing, as you tried
to blot his wound with your dainty handkerchief. Sweet
Lass, I love you so."

"Neil, what comes next?" she asked innocently.

"When do you want to get married?"

"As soon as possible."

"What about your mother?"

"What do you mean, Neil?"

"Christy, be realistic. Your mother will want you to be
married in Asheville."

"Oh no. We'll be married here. This is our home."

"Your mother has a will of iron."

"So do I."

"I'm coming to find that out. Do you think David will
marry us?"

"I can't ask him to do that, Neil." She told him about her
earlier conversation with David. "Perhaps Dr. Ferrand can
do it if we give him plenty of notice."

"When do you want to get married, Lass?"

"In the summer, July perhaps?"

"That's fine with me. Now you really do need to rest,
my love." He gently kissed her and carried her into her
room. "Sleep, my sweet, love."

She nodded to him as he closed the door. She waited a
few moments.

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee" she sang, turning around and around
until she was overcome with dizziness. "He loves me!!"



Chapter Three

Christy was waiting for Neil to arrive. She had just
dismissed her students. It was June 21st, the longest day
of the year. Neil rode up on Charlie and Christy climbed
up behind her fiance. The rode up to one of the many balds,
sprinkled throughout the mountains. After dismounting, they
began their walk, stopping to take in the beautiful view of
the mountains. Neil could sense her unease. Their wedding
was less than four weeks away. "What's the matter, Lass?"

"Neil, I am frightened of the unknown."

"Lass, two years ago you came into these backwoods, not
knowing what the future would hold for you. That took
faith and courage. I cannot imagine you afraid."

"But I am, Neil."

"Why, Christy?"

"I am going to be your wife."

"Yes, does that frighten you?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You were married to Miss Alice's daughter."

"Christy, Margaret was not like Alice or you. She was a
hoyden. She made no attempt to get to know her neighbors or
make friends. She was a snob. Marrying me was the ultimate
step in her quest for rebellion. I was poor and a hillbilly
in her eyes. She couldn't understand my dedication as a
healer and a doctor. She wanted the bright lights of the
city, not the stars sparkling on a clear night in the
mountains. Alice's coming to the Mission was the last
straw. Margaret loathed life in Cutter Gap. She hated
being pregnant, Christy. If she hadn't caught typhoid, I
know that she would have left me. She didn't care about
anything. After my son was born too prematurely, she gave
up. When I lost the both of them, darkness consumed me,
Lass. I was entrenched in my ways. Bitter, scoffing at
the Mission's attempts to win over my people. Then you
came along. Never did I think that such a tiny woman, with
blue eyes the color of heaven, would turn me into such a
lovesick swain!"

Christy hooted. Then she realized Neil was serious. "Oh my
sweet Neil. You make my limbs turn to jelly and my heart
flutter. So who is more lovesick? Is there a cure?"

"No, Lass. I fear it is terminal."

"How much time do we have, Neil?"

"A lifetime, Christy."

"Is there a treatment for this sickness?"

"A lifetime of loving each other."

"Are you sure?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Implicitly, Doctor."

"Then you don't need to worry, my love. As I said,
trust me."

"I do, Neil."

"I love you with every breath I take, Christy."

"I feel the same way, darling. Please explain to me
what will happen. I don't want to disappoint you in
any way." Sitting in the meadow, warmed by the sun and
gentle breezes, Christy continued to voice her worries
to Neil. "Mother and I talked on my last visit to
Asheville. Don't sugar coat your explanation, Neil."

"Christy," he smiled into her hair, "it involves physical
and emotional commitment to one another. You've been
here long enough to see animals mate. It will be more
than just a physical act with us. I won't just mate with
you, Christy. I care about you and I want to make sure to
please you. Your responses will please me, Lass. It's a
giving and a sharing of ourselves.

You understand the biology, Lass. Again, the rest is
chemistry. Don't fret or worry, Lass. I love you, and you
love me. It will all work out. Now, to change the subject,
what have you heard from your mother?"

"Oh Neil, she was upset when I told her I wanted a
traditional cake. When I informed her that it was not
a tiered layer cake, but one that was made with dried
fruits, and that we would bake it here at the Mission. I
explained that Miss Alice, Ruby Mae and Opal would be
making it. She's not very happy, I could hear it in her
voice. It's our wedding, Neil. I don't want an elaborate
affair. I'd just like to keep it simple, without a lot of
fuss. Is that too much to ask?"

"Christy, you're her daughter. She's probably been planning
your wedding in her heart for years. But, her dreams
are not your dreams. You have to let her know how you
feel. Try, love, to take her feelings into account. I'm
not saying that you should let her run rampant with her
plans for our wedding, we have to compromise a bit. Our
wedding should be a joyous occasion, not one fraught with
tension or anger."

"Neil, this is Cutter Gap, not Asheville. I don't want
our friends and neighbors to feel uncomfortable at our
wedding."

"They won't love. They'll be here to celebrate our
special day. They'll enjoy the food and drink. Everyone
will dance, and a good time will be had by all. Trust
me. Let your mother fuss over you, Lass. She almost lost
you to typhoid. You are strong willed enough to keep her
in check."

"You sound like you have a lot of confidence in me, Neil."

"That I do, Lass. That I do." He kissed her gently, and
held her close to him. "She would rather have you living
in Asheville, not Cutter Gap," he continued.

"I know that. Our home is here, Neil," she said smiling
up at him.

"The cabin needs your attention, Christy. "

"Are you telling me it needs to be cleaned?"

"Well I've cleaned it, Lass, but you'll probably think I
haven't. It needs your touch."

"Opal, Miss Alice and Mary Allen have offered to help me."

"The laboratory is off limits."

"I know that, Neil. I haven't told anyone about your
research."

"I know, Christy. If anyone asks, the room contains my
medical supplies.

.................................................

Christy had worked hard cleaning Neil's cabin. Alice,
Opal, Aunt Hattie and Mary Allen all came to give her
a hand. Wood sparkled with a polished sheen from Jeb's
beeswax. Gifts that were sent from her Asheville relatives
had been unpacked and displayed. She had been busy writing
thank you notes. Ben Pentland would mail them the day after
the wedding. She knew he would be amazed at the number of
envelopes he would deliver to the El Pano post office.

Two days before the wedding Jeb transported her trunks to
Neil's cabin. It seemed so strange to hang her clothes in
the chiffarobe next to his clothes, and put her delicate
silks on the drawers of his dresser. He was out on call,
these past few days, oblivious to the changes in his
cabin. Christy was happy, nervous, scared witless and
giddy, all at the same time. She felt she was standing on
the edge of a precipice, She was afraid of heights. Yet
she knew that if she jumped, Neil would catch her in his
arms and hold her close to him.

On the night before their wedding, Christy asked Neil,"Why
did you fall in love with me?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Curiosity."

"You know that I'm not a man who easily talks about his
feelings, Lass."

"I know, you've already shown me that."

"Cheeky Lass!"

She giggled. "You haven't answered my question."

"Yes I have, but you really didn't understand. Lass, you
gave me back my hope. You gave me back my dreams, that
anything is possible. I can believe again because of
you, Christy."

"Neil, tomorrow you'll become my husband."

"Aye Christy, tomorrow you'll become my wife."

"Are you ready?"

"Lass, we'll face the future together. Our dreams will
come true. With you by my side, Christy, we can accomplish
miracles."

The End.